One 18-year-old died and another 18-year-old has life-threatening injuries after a shooting in a shopping center parking lot in Centreville, Virginia, on Wednesday morning, authorities say.
Michael Alcantara, of Manassas, was killed, police said.
Fairfax County police were called to the 14600 block of Lee Highway (Route 29), which includes stores and an office building, at about 9:30 a.m., police said at a news conference. It's just off Interstate 66.
Officers found one man who died after being shot and another with a gunshot wound that caused life-threatening injuries. The second man was taken to a hospital.
Police said in an update that the second 18-year-old was charged with second-degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. His name is Hassan Kanu and he is a Centreville resident, police said. He remained hospitalized as of Wednesday night.
According to the preliminary investigation, police believe the shooting was related to a drug deal and the men shot each other.
“It looks like when the possible transaction occurred, the shots were fired in the parking lot,” Capt. Kent Bailey said.
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A man in the area said he heard nine shots.
“Nine gunshots. Boom boom boom boom! My heart is still jumping,” he said.
Another man said he heard shots and then saw a man lying in the parking lot.
“I was so scared,” he said.
In upper-floor offices, people could be seen looking down over the parking lot.
Police surrounded two cars in the parking lot after the apparent shootout. The windshield wipers of one car, a Honda sedan, were still on as detectives searched the area. Police say they found drugs and two guns.
The toll of deadly gun violence brought one woman to her knees in grief. News4 footage showed her anguish as police tried to console her and talk with her after the shooting. News4 was unable to confirm her connection to the men involved.
Police are not seeking any suspects, Bailey said.
“Our community is safe. All individuals involved in this incident are accounted for,” he said.
News4 video footage shows a major police response. Police said no other injuries were reported, nor was any damage to cars in the busy area.
A portion of the parking lot was still closed hours later.
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The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with potentially relevant information is asked to contact police.
Police initially said they believed the shooter fled.
Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.
